On Friday, June 14, the Strawberry Shake 5K Walk/Run and the Strawberry Shortcake 1 Mile Fun Run returns for the eighth year in a row to support the Friday night activities that center on the popular Strawberry Festival in Owego.
Everyone’s favorite local 5K has joined, for its second year in a row, with the esteemed Empire Road Race Series. The ERRS features the St. Patrick’s Day 4-Miler, The Greater Binghamton Bridge Run, the 4 on the 4th Run, the Parlor City 5K, the ERRS 10K and 2-Person Relay at Porchfest, the I Run For Half Marathon, and the Halloween 13K.
The series will give you free swag at the end of the year if you run in several of the series races. Registration for the series is free, so register today at www.errs.rocks/race-schedule/ for more details on all these amazing local races!
Since its inception, local youth volunteers largely support the Strawberry Shake 5K and the Strawberry Shortcake. Race committee members Becky Bowers and John Heath work with the Owego-Apalachin School District to organize youth athletic teams to provide support and volunteers in exchange for a donation to each of their programs. This includes Girls and Boys Lacrosse, Basketball, Cross Country, Baseball, Volleyball, Cheerleading, and the Girls Swim Team.
Being part of the volunteer squad encourages students to give back to their community while raising money for their teams. In addition to learning about the significance of fundraising, they also model health and fitness for their peers and witness the many adult runners of all ages who compete for placement prizes.
Are you ready to run? Pre-registration is open now! Both races will be held opening night of the Owego Strawberry Festival on Friday, June 14 and will start and finish at the Tioga County Office Building Parking Lot, located at Academy Street, Owego.
The mostly flat and fast 5K-race route takes the runners and walkers along the Susquehanna River and through the streets of lovely, downtown historic Owego, as well as straight through the Strawberry Festival itself!
The race site will have many of the vendors as in the past such as the Tioga County Dairy Princess organization distributing chocolate milk, and a wellness station monitored by UHS. Special prizes will be awarded in the 5K Race for each age group along with best overall times.
Race swag includes a t-shirt, while supplies last, a race sport sack, and the participation medal compliments of Tri-Town Insurance.
An addition to this year’s race is the Tioga County Boys and Girls Club’s presence with donations of bracelets to the race sport sack and information on all of the exciting summer programs they have to offer.
The Strawberry Shortcake Kids’ Run begins at 5:30 p.m. and the Strawberry Shake 5K Race / Walk begins at 6:15 p.m. The Kids’ Run is for ages five to ten only. The pre-registration entry fee is $25 for individuals for the 5K and $20 each for those who register as a team. The Strawberry Shortcake Kids’ Run is $10 for each individual.
The pre-registration ends at midnight on Tuesday, June 11. All registrations that come in after that time will pay Race Day entry fees of $30 for the 5K and $15 for the Kids’ Run.
(Please note: There are no refunds for cancellations and race t-shirts must be picked up at the race. They will not be holding t-shirts and race sport sacks after the race ends.)
Race bib pick-up and day of registration will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. for the 5K Race and from 2 to 5:15 p.m. for the Kids’ Run at the race location on Academy Street. They require an adult or an older sibling to accompany children in the fun run, free of charge. There is no registration or packet pick-up after 6 p.m. for the 5K Race.
The Strawberry Shake 5K Race has been certified by USA Track & Field. The race directors reserve the right to reject any entry for any reason. The race is partly run with traffic on a state highway, so dogs are forbidden. Jogging strollers are allowed. Those observing poor manners towards motorists or not obeying the traffic marshals will be disqualified.
Proceeds will benefit Owego-Apalachin Cross Country and Track teams along with other athletic groups. For more information, contact Christine at crhafer@yahoo.com or Heather Gunther at the Owego Pennysaver office at (607) 687-2434. You can also visit the race website at https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Owego/OwegoStrawberryShake5KRunWalk.
The 39th Annual Strawberry Festival is being held on Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15 in downtown Owego. After the race, come be a part of the fun and excitement by sampling the great food, visiting the unique and creative shops, and touring the many offerings of local artisans and vendors that line the streets!
Visit www.owego.org/strawberry-festival to learn more.
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